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While the last thing the world needs at this moment is more Monday, or as Martha Coakley would say, “Wednesday Morning Quarterbacking,” here goes…
In 1994, I had the honor of working pretty closely with Senator Kennedy’s campaign against Mitt Romney. As he noted in his memoir, True Compass, it was by far, his most difficult re-election battle.
Although I learned tons in this campaign and every other one I was a part of – the central lesson was simple, but unfortunately lost on Martha Coakley and her team and one of the primary reasons she blew it big-time tonight (along with the fact that she apparently cannot a) say “jobs,” b) connect with the 50% or so of our state that are “independent,” or c) put the health care debate into the economic context in which it belongs.)
The lesson -- when you have a lead you do not go on vacation -- in my opinion is one of the most simple, but important lessons learned in Massachusetts politics over the last two decades.
In August of 1994, Senator Kennedy had millions in the bank and a fat lead against newcomer Mitt Romney and decided that he’d rather be at the Cape than campaigning or airing commercials in August. That miscalculation, which resulted in Romney taking the lead in post-Labor Day polls nearly resulted in Kennedy’s defeat. Luckily for the Kennedy campaign, there was another six weeks left in the race, a few debates and plenty of commercials to be aired – and Kennedy pulled out a less than comfortable 58%-41% win.
It did not have to happen – but at the end, it taught many of us a lesson, including Senator Kennedy, to never ease up and to continue fighting to the end, which he did in every way. Say what you want about the Coakley campaign – but if they studied for a second that 1994 Kennedy-Romney race, campaigned like they were down 100,000 votes (which she is as I write this and watch her concession), did not make a federal case out of debating their opponent one-on-one and shook hands early in the morning and late at night from day one – my gut tells me Martha Coakley would be our Senator.
While there are a lot of disappointed Democrats in Massachusetts and around the country tonight (for good reason IMHO) – we should remember, voters are smarter than we think. When they were begging for attention this winter –- Martha Coakley blew them off and took them for granted. Senator, yes United States Senator Scott Brown did not -- he read Senator Kennedy's book. He deserved this win.
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